Quint Kessenich: Newcomers to watch in college lacrosse

Mark Selders, Penn State Athletic Communications

Attack This position has the easiest immediate transition from high school to college. Coaches assign a very specific role to start the season and expand it with time. Using football as an analogy, the attack position is most similar to wide receiver. Sanders, the front-runner for national Freshman of the Year has scored 24 goals in nine games for the Nittany Lions (6-3). The Ontario native has a knack for the goal, is well-placed off the ball and knows how to bury the biscuit. Sanders had four goals Tuesday night in the Nittany Lions' 11-3 win at Bucknell. He excels in transition and man-up situations.

Attack This position has the easiest immediate transition from high school to college. Coaches assign a very specific role to start the season and expand it with time. Using football as an analogy, the attack position is most similar to wide receiver. Sanders, the front-runner for national Freshman of the Year has scored 24 goals in nine games for the Nittany Lions (6-3). The Ontario native has a knack for the goal, is well-placed off the ball and knows how to bury the biscuit. Sanders had four goals Tuesday night in the Nittany Lions' 11-3 win at Bucknell. He excels in transition and man-up situations. (Mark Selders, Penn State Athletic Communications)

Under Armour All-American from Hauppauge, N.Y., on Long Island is a water bug at 5 feet 9, 155 pounds. He has 23 points in nine games for the Pride (6-3). "Sam has a sudden change of direction and can play with both hands," coach Seth Tierney said. "He has a will to be great. He is leading our team in points."

Under Armour All-American from Hauppauge, N.Y., on Long Island is a water bug at 5 feet 9, 155 pounds. He has 23 points in nine games for the Pride (6-3). "Sam has a sudden change of direction and can play with both hands," coach Seth Tierney said. "He has a will to be great. He is leading our team in points." (Hofstra Athletics)

The kids are better than all right. In college lacrosse, freshmen have the opportunity to step right onto the stage and make an impact. And across the board they are doing just that, from the best teams in the country (Notre Dame) to the worst (Michigan), from the most established (Johns Hopkins) to the newest (Marquette). Keep an eye on these guys for the next four years: —By Quint Kessenich, For The Baltimore Sun